Well, here it is, as promised! Right after I've gotten back from Italy. I hope you'll like it.

XXX

You have 18 new messages

Sunday, 10 am:

'Brooke, listen: I'm so sorry. Can we please talk? Just call me as soon as you get this message. Bye now. Oh, this is Lucas, by the way.'

Sunday, 10:05 am:

'Hi, it's me again. I really think we should talk, Brooke. Well, uh, just call me, please. Bye.'

Sunday-

Brooke clicked off her answering machine and rolled her eyes. Whoever said that girls were the obsessive sex was so wrong… Come on, the guy had left her 18 messages on one morning!
She deleted all of them. Of course she knew she had to face Lucas eventually, she just didn't want to right away. She needed some time.
But that word didn't exist in Lucas Scott's vocabulary. And Brooke was about to find that out too.

XXX

'Brooke! Open up, it's me!!'

Brooke was just making herself some coffee, trying to escape from her hangover. Always a nice gift that she got the day after a party. Brooke sighed. Of course it was him, Lucas could be very determined.

'Brooke!'

God, why did je have to be so loud?

More bonking.

'YES! Alright, I'm coming!' Brooke took her coffee in her hand and walked over to the door to open it. Lucas was leaning against the wall with a big frown on his face. She indifferently sipped from her coffee and stepped aside to let Lucas in. He looked 

relieved and closed the door behind him.

'You think I can get some coffee too? I could use some about now. I literally stayed up all night because of what's going on between us.'

Brooke nodded. That was actually kind of sweet. But she remembered herself not to forget how angry she had been at him. 'Suit yourself.' She pointed at the kitchen.

Lucas walked over to the coffee machine and Brooke sat down on her big, black couch, waiting for Lucas to return. A few moments later he got back from the kitchen and sat down next to her. Brooke shifted her feet uncomfortably.

'So…' Lucas said slowly. Brooke could see he was nervous. He seemed to be looking for the right words as he paused and ran his fingers through his hair. It reminded Brooke a lot of Nathan who seemed to be doing that whenever he was nervous or uncomfortable. She remembered him doing it last night, right after Peyton walked in on them. It was kind of adorable. God, what would've happened if Peyton hadn't shown up? What-

'Brooke!'

Brooke looked next to her and quickly returned to reality: the other Scott. Wow, it was a good thing Lucas didn't know what she was just thinking of. It really didn't make sense, why would she think of Nathan all the time? She figured it was just because what had almost happened last night.

'Brooke, are you there?' Lucas asked.

'yes!' Brooke said quickly, 'yes, I'm here.' She sounded a bit irritated, but didn't really care.

'Good,' Lucas continued, 'because I think you know why I'm here.'

Brooke nodded, 'Well, I guess.'

Lucas took a deep breath. 'Alright, I just wanted to say I'm so sorry about everything that has happened lately. I've been such an idiot. I took you for granted and I know that I should never do that! But I guess I've been such a jerk because of all the pressure that lies on me. You know, with basketball and all. It gets hard…' he looked at her expectantly.

Brooke said nothing. They stared at each other for a while. Was she really hearing this?



'Basketball?' she said sarcastically.

Lucas nodded slowly, uncertain.

A sound of disbelief came out of Brooke's mouth. She stood up from the couch.

'You know, Lucas, basketball is not an excuse for everything. There are other things in life than that sport. You're letting it control your life! Come on, you can't seriously tell me we're on the verge of a break-up because of basketball! How many times have you cursed your own father for the same thing!?'

'Wow, wait!' Lucas said, shocked. He held up his hands in defense. 'Whoever said I want to break up with you!?'

Brooke shrugged, 'I don't know.'

'Do you want to break up?' asked Lucas.

Brooke shrugged again. 'Well, I don't know. Things haven't been so good lately and if your only excuse is basketball then I don't know what we're doing here.'

Lucas stood up from the couch too. 'We're trying to have a relationship! At least, I am. Come on, forget what I said about basketball, ok? I'm just sorry and you need to know I wont be like this anymore. You and I both know we're made for each other. Of course we've had our differences, but all of them don't matter compared to all the good stuff!'

Brooke threw her hands in the air. 'Good stuff!? Take a close look, Lucas, there is no good stuff anymore! Maybe we should just face it.'

She could immediately tell that Lucas was hurt. He looked at her with pain etched on his face.

'Face it?' he repeated. He walked closer to Brooke. As he looked her in the eye, he took her hands in his.

'Brooke… There is nothing more important to me than you are. Not even basketball. And I've been such a fool for forgetting that. Please, don't turn your back on what we have. What we could have. You can't honestly look me in the eye and tell me you don't feel anything. Think of everything we've been through. And here we are. Together. Just remember that.'

They just stood there for a while, not saying anything. Lucas' words seemed to float in the air between them and Brooke could see her reflection in his eyes. She thought 

of everything he had just said and she knew he was right. Of course she felt something when she looked at him. And he sounded so sincere. Brooke slowly felt herself forgiving him for everything he'd done. Then she smiled.

'I'm sorry too,' she whispered. 'I've been hard on you and I didn't realize you were having a tough time too. I've been selfish.'

Lucas grinned madly and heaved a relieved sigh. 'Thank god!' he said. 'Oh man, you have no idea how glad I am to hear this! Now, come here.' He leaned closer to Brooke and kissed her. Brooke kissed him back and smiled to herself. She was glad they had worked things out. Now she could only imagine how ugly things could've gotten if her and Nathan actually had hooked up. Man, it was ridiculous, even the thought of it. She could never do that again, not in a million years. If she just thought about all the damage the sex tape of her and Nathan had caused which had been taped when they both didn't even have a partner… This time it would be ten times uglier. But of course, there was no this time. She really needed to stop thinking.

'God Brooke, where are you with your thoughts today?' Lucas was looking at her and she hadn't even notice.

If only he knew.

'Oh, sorry.' God Brooke, focus! She told herself. Forget about Nathan, nothing happened and you're making a fuss out of nothing. Besides, you both had drinks and NOTHING HAPPENED!

'Should I get that?' asked Lucas suddenly. He was already walking over to the door.

'Oh, uh, sure.' She didn't even hear the door bell. This was getting worse by the minute. But then again, it could have something to do with the huge amount of alcohol of last night. As soon as she got back in the beach house, she hadn't stopped drinking.
Brooke listened as Lucas opened the door.

'Nathan!' she heard him say. She immediately froze. Oh my god, what was he doing here? Why was he at her house!?

'Good game last night! Come in!'

No way. What the hell was he thinking!?

'You too of course, Hales.'

Oh.


Well, that was relief.

The door closed and Brooke stayed right where she was. Oh man, she really didn't want to face Nathan. It was going to be so awkward. Lucas grinned at Brooke.

'The Ravens star and his beautiful wife have just arrived!'

Brooke forced a smile. 'I heard! That's great.'

Nathan and Haley walked into the living room. It was clear that Nathan was doing his very best to avoid Brooke's eye and he looked like he absolutely didn't want to be here. Well, that made two of them.

'Hey, Brooke.' He said, determined not to look at her.

'Em, hi Nate.' Brooke answered.

Haley threw Nathan a weird look and Lucas seemed to notice something too. But before any of them could say anything or get more suspicious, Brooke walked over to Haley and slapped her on the back. Haley almost fell over.

'Hi, Hales!' she said cheerfully. 'So, what brings you guys over here on this bright, sunny morning?'

'Well,' said Haley, 'I actually just wanted to talk to Lucas about something. And Nathan was being so grumpy, I told him to come with me. I thought it'd be good for him so he could get his mind of whatever dark thoughts he's having.'

Nathan rolled his eyes irritably. 'Yeah, thanks Hales. This is really working.'

Brooke noticed the sarcasm in his voice and she was guessing Nathan's thoughts were very much alike to hers. She quickly looked at him as Haley had said that and their eyes had met for a split second. They both looked away immediately.
Brooke was having the feeling that Nathan wouldn't have come along with Haley if he knew they'd ended up here.

'But, 'Haley continued, 'Karen told us that Lucas was over here, so we decided to come over! Now, Luke, can I talk to you for a minute?'

Lucas nodded, 'yeah sure.'

'Er, in private?'

What!? No way! They were not going to leave them alone!


Brooke looked at Nathan again and saw that he began to ran his fingers trough his hair. Apparently he felt the same way. Oh god, she had to do something.

'There's no need for that, Haley!' Brooke said with a perfect imitation of happiness. 'Lucas and I have no secrets for each other. We tell each other everything! Whatever it is, you can discuss it here!'

'Yeah!' Nathan agreed eagerly. 'Come on, Hales, you have nothing to hide from me right?'

Lucas and Haley shot a look at each other.

'Curiosity,' said Lucas, 'such a strange thing.'

Haley raised her eyebrows. 'I'm having the feeling it has something more to it than that.' She was eyeing Nathan closely but Nathan didn't look at her.

Brooke sighed dramatically to distract the attention from Nathan who turned out to be the worst actor ever.
'Alright, go on then. I get it. You, as best friends, have something to discuss and we have nothing to do with it. It's just a shame that you don't trust us, that's all.'

'Ah no, Brooke! You can-'

'No, Lucas.' Haley interrupted. 'Don't fall for that. I'm having the feeling she is right about something. Trust. We must really trust you guys if we want to leave the two of you alone. Together.'

Brooke swallowed. Had Peyton said anything?
Nathan cleared his throat awkwardly.

'Don't be ridiculous, Haley.' He mumbled.

Lucas looked at Haley. 'What are you talking about? You mean when Brooke congratulated Nate after the game last night?'

Haley looked at him in surprise. 'No, why? What happened?'

'Nothing!' Brooke said. 'Come on, Haley, be reasonable! Why are you doing this!? Nothing is going on between me and Nathan, we are just friends! We always have been! Now go and have your little talk, we'll entertain ourselves here.'

Lucas looked insecure. 'As long as you don't entertain each other.' He then said.



Nathan sighed and pushed Lucas and Haley out of the door. 'Thanks for the trust,' he said, and then closed it.
Then he turned around and looked properly at Brooke for the first time.

'Well, that was awkward,' said Brooke with a little laugh.

Nathan smiled, 'yeah. Yeah, I'm sorry about Haley. I wish she stopped being so damn suspicious. I honestly don't know where she gets her ideas from.'

Brooke smiled and nodded and walked over to the couch again. Nathan followed her and they both sat down. It was obvious what they were both thinking off. It was silent for a while.

'So…' Nathan said then, 'Some party, huh?'

'Yeah,' Brooke agreed, 'some party.'

And again they fell silent. Brooke couldn't take it anymore.

'God, Nate what are we doing, it shouldn't be like this! We're friends, we haven't done anything wrong and I don't want things to get awkward between us.'

Nathan looked relieved. 'I feel exactly the same! Let's just forget about last night and get back to normal, ok?'

'Yes!' Brooke smiled happily. 'So, what do you think the two of them are talking about?' she asked to get rid of the awkwardness that may still be there.

Nathan shrugged. 'Maybe they're making out. They make us feel guilty about each other so that they feel less guilty. It's the perfect plan.'

Brooke looked at him and raised her eyebrows.
'You feel guilty?' she asked. 'About what exactly?'

Nathan didn't say anything. He put up his hand, about to run his fingers through his hair but Brooke grabbed his wrist.

'You do that every time.' She said softly.

Nathan seemed shocked by their sudden touch and just looked back at her. 'What do you mean?' he asked eventually.

'Every time you get nervous you want to run your fingers though your hair.' Brooke realized she was whispering.


Nathan swallowed hard. 'You seem to have that effect on me.' He was whispering too.

Wow. He must've been the first boy ever to make Brooke Davis speechless. Something about that moment was just so intense. Brooke didn't let go of his wrist. It was as if time had stopped.

'What the hell are you doing!?'

And then it was over.

Brooke quickly let go of Nathan and they moved away from each other. Peyton was standing in Brooke's living room.

'Peyton!' Brooke and Nathan said in unison.

'I asked you what you were doing!' Peyton snapped.

'Nothing! Haley and Luke are in the other room!' Brooke said.

'Yeah! Yeah, they are!' Nathan said.

'You know, Brooke, I just wanted to come over here and tell you that you needed to stay the hell away from Nathan. But I thought you'd figured that out on your own. I thought it was just because you were drunk last night and so was Nathan. But just to be sure, I wanted to tell you that Nathan is off limits. But I see you have a whole different idea about that.' Peyton threw them an angry look and before Brooke or Nathan could say anything she was gone.

Then the door opened and Lucas and Haley stepped out. They looked at Brooke and Nathan who were sitting on the couch, both looking kind of confused.

'What is with you?' asked Lucas.

'We, eh…' said Brooke, 'we just saw a very weird documentary on tv.'

Nathan nodded in silence.

Well, you can bet on it that this documentary was as realistic as could be. And yes, that is confusing.

Good thing Lucas and Haley were in the other room. 'Cause sparks like that simply can't be denied.

I appreciate reviews!